If you love the idea of taking your children to a festival but feel slightly overwhelmed by the reality of camping, organising activities and keeping everyone entertained, Camp Kindling could be exactly what you’re looking for. This family festival, located just outside London, combines the fun and atmosphere of a traditional festival with more than 100 activities for the whole family to enjoy.
We recently spent the weekend at Camp Kindling and absolutely loved it. From archery and quad biking to live music, comedy and patrol games, there was always something happening. However, it never felt as though we had to rush around trying to fit everything in. You can make your weekend as busy or as relaxed as you like, which is one of the things we enjoyed most about it.
How Does Camp Kindling Work?
Before arriving at Camp Kindling, you receive activity credits depending on the package you have booked. You then use these credits to reserve your chosen activities in advance.
I thought this system worked brilliantly for us. It meant that before we had even arrived, we knew which activities we were doing and when. There was nothing to organise or think about once we were there, we could simply enjoy the weekend.
There are more than 100 different activities available, with something to suit a huge range of ages and interests. Some of the activities we tried included archery, an apothecary workshop, acro yoga, quad biking, extreme ice cream creation and an incredible 200-metre zip line.
Having such a varied selection meant that everyone could find something they wanted to try. The children could experience activities they might never usually get the opportunity to do, while we could also join in and enjoy them together as a family.
Although we booked several activities, we didn’t feel the need to fill every minute of the weekend. There was still plenty of time to wander around, enjoy the entertainment or simply relax at our tent. Camp Kindling can be a jam-packed adventure or a much more chilled family break, it really is up to you.
Staying in a Pre-Pitched Tent
As a big family, the thought of transporting and putting up a large tent can make camping feel like a lot of work before the holiday has even begun. We chose to stay in a pre-pitched tent, and it made the whole experience so much easier.
Arriving and knowing that our tent was already set up gave us such peace of mind. We could get settled straight away rather than spending the first part of the weekend trying to put up a tent while also keeping an eye on the children.
The Camp Kindling site isn’t enormous, which we really liked. It was easy to find our way around, and it didn’t feel overwhelming – particularly when visiting with children. Everything felt accessible, but there was still enough going on to give the weekend a proper festival atmosphere.
There are shower and toilet facilities on site, as well as a communal cooking tent. Kettles and microwaves are provided, which was so useful for preparing easy meals, drinks and snacks for the children.
There are also plenty of food and drink options available around the festival. We found the prices quite reasonable, especially compared with what you might expect to pay at many festivals. You can therefore choose between bringing and preparing some of your own food or treating yourselves while you’re there.
Evening Entertainment for the Whole Family
The fun doesn’t stop when the daytime activities finish. Each evening there is plenty of family-friendly entertainment, including DJs, live singers, comedy shows and other performers.
One evening there was a children’s talent show, which was so much fun and created a lovely atmosphere. We also spent one evening in the games tent, where there were loads of board games to choose from. It was a simple part of the weekend, but one that we really enjoyed together.
That is what makes Camp Kindling feel different from a standard family camping weekend. There are always options. You can watch a live performance, dance to a DJ, join in with an activity, play a board game or head back to your tent when the children have had enough.
As parents, we never felt as though the evening entertainment was aimed solely at adults, with the children simply tagging along. The whole weekend has been designed with families in mind, allowing everyone to be involved.
The Camp Kindling Patrol Games
One of the most unique parts of Camp Kindling has to be the patrol games. Every family becomes part of one of four patrols: the Badgers, Foxes, Squirrels or Hawks.
We were Team Badger and, of course, we had our flag ready!
Throughout the weekend, different games and challenges take place, with each patrol earning points. Some families get seriously involved with the competition, which makes it even more entertaining. It creates a brilliant sense of community and adds something really special to the weekend.
The final patrol games were one of our highlights. Everyone came together to support their teams, and the atmosphere was amazing. Even better, the Badgers took the win!
The patrol games give you something shared to be part of throughout the festival. Even if you don’t take part in every challenge, you still find yourself cheering for your team and checking how the scores are looking. It was such a fun addition and something the children will definitely remember.
Is Camp Kindling Good Value for Money?
We thought Camp Kindling offered great value for money, particularly when you consider the huge choice of activities and entertainment included across the weekend.
With more than 100 activities available, daytime workshops, evening shows, live music, games and the patrol competitions, there is so much included in the experience. The pre-booking system also helped us make good use of our activity credits and plan the things we most wanted to try.
Camp Kindling offers payment plan options, which can make spreading the cost of a family festival much more manageable. You can also save money by booking early, so it is worth looking at tickets as soon as they are released if you’re considering going.
Of course, the overall price will depend on the ticket and accommodation package you choose, as well as how much you spend on food and drink while you are there. Having cooking facilities available means you can keep those additional costs down if you want to.
Would We Return to Camp Kindling?
Absolutely – we would 100% go back to Camp Kindling in a heartbeat!
We had such a great time and came away feeling as though we had experienced something completely different together as a family. There was plenty for every age group, the site was easy to navigate, and having our activities organised in advance took away so much of the usual stress.
Most importantly, the weekend could be whatever we wanted it to be. We could fill the day with activities, slow things down when the children needed a break and then head out again for the evening entertainment.
For families who want the fun of a festival with a little more organisation and plenty of child-friendly activities, Camp Kindling is a brilliant option. The pre-pitched accommodation makes camping easier, the patrol games create an amazing atmosphere, and the sheer number of activities means no two visits would need to be the same.
We absolutely loved our weekend at Camp Kindling. It felt fun, friendly and really well thought out for families and watching Team Badger claim the final victory was the perfect way to end it!
Disclaimer – we were invited to Camp Kindling in exchange for content creation. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
